Sprinkler-alarm device.



E. L. THOMPSON & vR. HAMILTON.

SPRINKLER ALARM DEVICE. APPLICATION nun) PEB.6, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

22,446. Patented Apr, 9, 1912.

E. L. THOMPSON & J. R. HAMILTON. I

SPRINKLER ALARM DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED rims, 190s Patented Apr. 9, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WIN .SEJ-

WW ATTORNEYS to actuate the alarm, the valve casing 86 being formed withan exhaust chamber 71 at its upper part and intermediate neutral chamberT2 and a pressure chamber 73 on the other side of the neutral chamber.The balanced valve comprises the stem to which the upper portion 15 ofthe valve is secured, the facing 19 being held in place by a suitablewasher, as indicated, and cooperating iththe upper valve seat Tl betweenthe neutral and exhaust chambers. The lower part of this valve has asimilar facing 75 which is shown as engaging the movable valve seat 76mounted on the diaphragm the upper limit of the movement of this valveseat being limited by the stop 77. lVhen in the closed positionindicated this bala1icecl valve closes connection between the neutralchamber 72 and the exhaust and pressure chambers 71 and T3 and theyielding way in which one of the valve seats mounted insures an accurateclosure in both instances. The pressure pipe 23 con'miunicates with thepressure chamber 73, the exhaust pipe 1% which communicates with theinterior of the float chamber 25 connects with the exhaust chamber 71,these two chambers being also connected by the pipes 16 and 1.7 with asuitable ditlerential gage 18 so that the operation of the device may beindicated The alarm devices may be connected with the alarm pipe 21leading. as indicated, into the neutral chamber 72 ot' the balancedvalve. An electrical alarm may be used comprising a flexible diaihragm'll mounted within a suitable chamjer 87, a contact lever beingindicated as red to one terminal 49 andhaving an arm i bearing on thediaphragm l6 so that pressure below the diaphragn'i raises this arm andlever to make electrical connection with the other contact or terminal50 which is insulated in any desired way. In this manner the circuitthrough the electric bell 58 and battery 45 is completed and an alarmsignal given at any desired place. A ineclrinical alarm may also be usedand a suitable watcr motor ll) is indicated as connected with the alarmpipc 21, so that when water passcsthrough this pipe and out through the1 discnargc pipe at the shalt 40 of the motor is rotated turning thedisk ll: and throw ng the hannncrsla into contact with the bell l-l..inothcr alarm may also be employcd comprising a clo cr bulb within theexhaust chamber 31. which is indicated in detail, in Fig. 1-3. Thiscloser bulb may be given the form of a bulb 3-3 3 of glass or othermaterial within which a quantity of mercury ll may be placed or otherconducting means arranged. The two contacts (ll) cntcr the hcad Siextend within the bulb adjacent tln' h-vcl the mercury when in the horizntal lrti.-,!

of insulating material and their bare ends t'ion indicated in Fig. 3.This head may be kept in place by a screw -ap 5S engaging the bulb. Thecontacts (30, which are prel'crably of steel or other resilientmaterial, enameled or otherwise covered with insulating substance,extend from the bulb through a suitable insulating plug 52 in the sideof the exhaust chamber and the contacts are in circuit with the (cctricbell l2 and battery 13 so that when the closer bulb is raised by a risein the level of the mercury within the exhaust chamber, a sullicicnttilting takes place to make electric comiection between the bare ends 8tof the contacts 60, close the bell circuit and ring the alarm. Theoperation of this form of device illustated in Fig. l as will beapparent from the foregoing description is that in the positionindicated there is a direct open connection through the Venturi or jetdevice around the check valve in the supply pipe. lVater hammer andother accidental variations in pressure can thus be neutralized and willnot atl ect the alarm. ll", however, there a flow of water from thedistrilmtingsystem the steady flow through the jet device causes adiminution of pressure in the exhaust passage 7 and suction pipe 11, sothat the pressure in the exhaust chamber ll is less than that in thepressure pipe 23, pressure chamber Qt and float chamber This causes allow of the mercury or other tluid out. or" the float chamber througlnthhoke passage '78 and into the exhaust chamber. This causes the contactbulb to float up, the flexible contact (30 allowing this action, andwhen a sullicient tilting of the,bulb has taken place clcctri ralconnection is made through the contacts and bell circuit ringing thealarm, the alarm being retarded to the extent desi red by the delayedHow of theliquid through the cholte passage of the ret'ardcr. About thistime also the level of mercury in the float chamber has dropped to suchan extent that the valve 216 has scaled itself on the valve 50, thusclosing.connection between the pressure chamber 3'! and the floatchamber below. The further action of the lt'l device causes aconsiderable diminution oi pressure in thc exhaust and float chainhers,and also in the exhaust pipe ll which connects: with the cxhanslichamber Tl. This lifts the balancedvalve from its seat since thepressure chamber 73 is under the full head existing in the supply pipe1: also as soon as the balanced valve li'l ls. this water pressure inthe supply pipe is at once conn :nnuicatcd to the diaphragm ll ringingthe clcclric bell 23S and the water passing through the alarm pipe .Zlalso operates the mechanical alarm. as has bccn described.

it is not nc cssary in all cases to employ the balanced valvc in thissvs'tcni. The de vicc indicated in Fig. 2 has the same consecured. toits lower oortion for coo'acration struction of valve casing and jetdevice which has been described and the exhaust or suction pipe 11 alsoconnects the exhaust passage of the device with the suction or exhaustchamber The pressure pipe 23 in. this case connects with the head. 90cured on top of the float chamber by the bolts 26 as described so as toterm a pressure chain Mar 91 within this head. An alarm chamber 92 15also formed wlthin this head, tlns chamber. having a suitable valveseatber 3 and egpierates to withdraw the mercury or other liuid "lirom thefloat chamber through the choice passage 78. This reduces the upwardpress re of theiloat 27 against the alarm valve which in the positionindicated holds it firmly seated so as to close 1 e alari'n chais'nberand after this presc has been 'lvilhdrawn and the lloat moved dmvnvvarduntil it engages the lower portion oil he valves, the alarm valvetci'lds to be drawn away from its seat. The upward pressure within thispressure chamber and float chamber, which by reason 01": the prespipe isequal to that within the supply pipe, holds this alarm valve closed fora time and then when it is finally released it comes open at once andthe parts move quickly to such an extent that thcfloat valveiunnediately falls against its seat 56 so as to tightly close thecommunication bet ween. the pressure chamber 91 and the float chamberUnder these circumstances, water under pressure passes through thepressure pipe 523 into the alarm chamber 92 and through the alarm pipeso as to operate the electric bell through the flexible dia phragm l6and connections indicated and also the mechanical alarm through thewater n'iotor The rise of the mercury in the exhaust chamber 34 alsooperates to, tilt the contact bulb and make electrical connectionbetween the ends 81 of the'contacts G0 'soas to close the'circuitoperating the bell 1 1t is, course, apparent that by properly adjustmgthe size of the choke passage, which may be done by moving the chokevalve or otherwise the delay in action which this recauses may besruta'bly varied. l Wing described this invention 111 coir 1st passage 7and exhaust pipe 11 nection with said illustrative embodiments thereof,to the details of which we do not desire to be limited, what is claimedas new and what we desire to secure by Letters Pat ent isset forth inthe appended claims.

l, In sprinkler alarm devices, a supply pipe connected with adistributing system, a

valve casing, a check-valve s ngularly supported within said casing andsubstantially in line with said supply pipe, a 1st device within saidcasing, a retarder conun'lsing a float chamber, a. suction chambercommunicating with said float chamber through a choke passage, a floatin said float chamber, a iioat valve opcntcd by, said float, said jetdevice being connected with said suction chamber to cause a. diminutionof pressure therein on the commencement of flow in said distributingsystem, a balanced valve having an exhaust chamber, a pressure chamberand an intermediate neutral chamber, a pressure pipe connecting saidsupply pipe and the Pressure chambers of said balanced valve andretarder, an alarm and an alarm pipe connecting said alarm with saldneutral chambers 2. In sprinkler alarm devices, a supply pipe, adistributing system connected there with, means to maintain a differenceof pressure in said pipe on the commencement of flow therethrough, a jetdevice comprising a contracting passage having a, direct open connectionwith said supply pipe adjacentsaid means, a retarder comprising-a oatchamber, a suction chamber connected therewith through a choke passage,a float having float valve connected therewith in said I float chamber,a suction pipe connecting said suction chamber with said jet device, abalanced valve comprising an exhaust chamber, a pressure chamber and anintermediate neutral chamber, an exhaust pipe connecting said exhaustchamber with said float chamber, an alarn'i andan alarm pipe connectingsaid alarm with said neutral chamber and a pressure pipe connecting saidsupply pipe with said pressure chamber and with said rctarder,

' 3. In sprinkler alarm devices a supply pipe, a distributing systemconnected therewith, mcans to maintain a diflerence of pressure in saidpipe on the con'nnencemeut oit' liow therethrmigh, a jet device havingdirect open connection with said supply pipe adjacent said means,a'returder comprising a float chamber, an exhaust chamber connected withsaid float chamber through a choke passage, a float valve fin-saidchamber, a balanced valve having an exhaust chamber connected with saidlioat chamber, a pressure chamber connected with said tloat chamber andwith said supply pipe and a neutral chamber connected with an alarm pipeand terial therefrom, an alarm, and mains to cause a movement. in saidliquid on the be l. In sprinkler alarm devices, a jet device to beconnected to a supply pipe, a retarder comprising a float chamber,communicating with a suction pa sage of said jet device through a chokemssagc, a float, and float valve in said tloat chamber, a pressure pipeto be connected with a supply pipe and with said float chamber, analarm, and means to operate said alarm by the reduction in pressure insaid lloat chamber.

5. ln sprinkler alarm devices, a jet device to be connected with asupply pipe, a retardcr comprising a float chamber, a float within saidchamber, a lloat valve operated by said float, a suction pipe.communicating with said tloat chamber and said jet device, an alarm, andmeans to operate. said alarm from the reduction in ywessure in saidfloat chamber.

(3. ln sprinkler alarm devices, a jet device to be connected with asupply pipe, a float chamber, a float within said chamber. a float valveoperated by said float. a suction pipe communicating with said jetdevice and with said float chamber to exhaust niaoperate said alarm onthe closing of said tloatvalve by the reduction in pressure in saidfloat chamber.

7. In sprinkle' alarm devices, a chamber containing a non-corrosiveliquid, means to move said liquid on the beginning of How through thesupply'pipe of the connected system, a buoyant closer bulb resilientlymounted within said chamber to float in the liquid therein and tilt assaid liquid moves, an electrical contact within said bulb to beconnected to an alarm and electrical conducting means within said bulbto complete said alarm circuit.

8. in sprinkler alarm devices, a chamber having liquid mercury therein.means to ginning of flow through the connected sprinkler system, anelectrical alarm. a closer bulb movably mounted within said chamber andfloating in the liquid therein and-an electrical contact in said bulbconnected to said alarm to complete said alarm ircuit on movement ofsaid liquid to the desired extent.

9. ln sprinkler alarm devices, a jet device l to-be connected with thesupply pipe. :1 re tardcr connected with and operated by said i jetdevice. a balanced valve comprising an I exhaust chamber. a neutralchamber, and a pressure chamber, an alarm. an alarm pipe connecting saidalarm with said neutral chamber, a pressure pipe connecting saidpressure chamber with said supply pipe and an exhaust pipe connectedthrough said retardcr with said jet device.

10. in sprinkler alarm leviccs, to be operated by a supply pipe,

a jet device a. balanced l valve comprising an exhaust chamber, aneutral chamber and a pressure chamber, an alarm connected with andoperated by pressure in saidneutral chamber and a, liquid flow retarderbetween said balanced valve and said jet device.

11. In sprinkler alarm devices, a jet device to be operated by a supplypipe, a balanced valve comprising an exhaust chamber, a neutral chamberand a pressure chamber, an alarm connected with and operated by pressurein said neutral chamber and a retarder between said balanced valve andsaid jet device.

121a sprinkler alarm devices, means to create a ditlerenee of pressureon the commencement of How through the distributing system, a balancedvalve having an exhaust chamber, a neutral chamber and a pressurechamber, an alarm connected with and 0perated from said balanced valveand a liquid flow retarder between said balanced valve and said means.

13. In sprinkler alarm devices, means to create a difference. ofpressure on the com-- mencement of flow through the distributing system,a balanced valve having an exhaust chamber, a neutral chamber and apressure chamber. an alarm connected with and operated from saidbalanced valve and a re tardcr between said balanced valve and saidmeans.

ll. In sprinkler alarm devices, means to cause a difference of pressureon the C0111- mencement of flow through the distributing system duringits emergency operation, an alarm and a liquid flow rctarder comprisinga float interposed between said alarm and said means and o )erating todelay the action of said alarm.

15. In sprinkler alarm devices, a float chamber having mercury therein,there be ing a passage formed with a constricted portion adjacent itslower end and co|nmunicating with said float chamber, a float having aconnected float valve freely mounted in said float chamber. an alarmcontrolled by said float valve and means to withdraw mercury from saidfloat chamber through said passage on the comuienccment oi flow in asprinkler system.

16. ln sprinkler alarm devices. a rctarder having a chamber connectedwith a sprin klcr system, liquid in said chamber to move through arestricted passage on the commencement of How through said system, acloset bulb floating in the liquid in said chamber. an electricalcontact within said bulb to be connected to an alarm and electricalconducting means within said bulb to complete the circuit of said alarmon movement of said liquid to the desired extent.

17. In sprinkler alarm devices. means to cause a difference of pressureby the flow of fluid from the distributing system, a re tarder having achamber connected. with said means, a closer bulb in said chamber,resilient spring contacts connected with and supporting said, closerbulb and with an alarm circuit and a. conducting fluid within saidcloser bulb to make the electrical connection with said contacts on thetilting of said bulb.

18. In sprinkler alarm devices, a cham her to be connected with a supplypipe and experience a difference of pressure on the beginning of flowthrough said supply pipe, an electrical alarm, a buoyant closer bulbnormally floating within said chamber, an electrical. Contact withinsaid bulb connected to said alarm and electrical conducting means withinsaid bulb to complete said alarn'i. circuit on the change of level ofliquid within said chamliier.

19. In sprinkler alarm devices, a supply pipe and connected distributingsystem, means to maintain a dillerence of pressure in. said pipe on thecommencement of flow thcretln'ough, a jet device having direct openconnection with said supply pipe adjacent said. means, a rctardercon'iprising a lloat chamber containing mcrcunv, an ex baust cl amberconnected with said float chamber through a choke passage, a float rahin said lloat chamber, a balanccd valve having an exhaust chamberconnected with said lloat chamber, a. pressure chamber connected withsaid float. chamber and with said supply pipe and a neutral chamberconneeted with an alarm pi i and an alarm.

20. in sprinlile' alarm devices, a jet derice to be connected with asprinkler supply pipe, a float chamber containing: u'icrcury, a tloal;within said cliau'iber, a float valve operatcd by said lloat. an alarmcontrolled by said tloat valve, and a pipe connected with said. floatchamber and with said jet derice.

in sprinl-clcr alarm devices, a jet device to be connected with a s-a'irinlder system, a n'iercury rctarder connected with and operated bysaid device, a l'HllflIlifWl valve comprising an exhaust chamber, aneutral chamber and a pressure chamber, a connected alarm comuumicatingwith said neutral chaniber, a pressure pipe connecting said pressurechamber with said supply pipe and. a pipe connecting said jet device andsaid retarder.

in sprinkler alarm devices, a jet device to be. connected with andoperated by a s 'iriulilcr system, a balanced valve comprising: anexhaust. chamber, a neutral chamber and a pressure chamber, said neutralchamher to be connected with and operate an alarm and a u'iercuryretarderbetween said balanced valve and said jet device.

i 'ucctcd sprinli'lcr system and warm control 23. In sprinkler alarmdevices, a float chamber containing mercury, there being a passagecomprising an adjustable constricted part adjacent its lower portioncommunicating with said ci'iamber, a lioat haviiu, a tloat valveconnected thereto freely mounted. in said chamber and normally lloatinc;in said mercury, an alarm controlled by said lloat valve and means tomore said mercury through said passage on the beginning ct flow throughthe cozmected sprinkler term.

2 1-. In sprinkler alarn'i devices, a. "float chamber containing;mercury, there being: a passage having a reduced part adjacent its lowerportion connected with said float chamber, a tloat in said chamber andnormally il iating in said mercury. a connected alarm control device andan alarn'i governed by said alarm. control device.

In sprinkler alarm devices, a chamber containing mercury to be connectedwith a sprinkler system and :ictuatcd. on the begiiming oil flow throughthe. sprinkler system during its en'm'gcncy operation, a tloat. in saidchamber and nor-ma ly lloatine in '-said mercury and an operatirelym'mnected alarm control device to be connected with and govern an alarmactuated on the emergency operation c? said sprinkler system. q I

ill. in spriul er alarm devices. a chamber containing nu-rcury andconnected with another chamber by a passage inning: a constricted partai iaccut its lower portion,

on the heginningj;- oi tiow throi h the conling mans tloating: in saidn'icreury to gz oiern the operation of an alarm.

37. in sprinkler alarm devices. a float chamber containing mercurym'uninm'iicatinn with a. passage proyidi-d with a. constricted portion,a float ha ring; a connected alarm controlliiig' device in said chamberand floating; in said mercury and means to cause the lnorci'i'icnl ofsaid mercury through said passagifc on the. c:unmencemcnt of tlowthrough a sprinkler sysleisi.

28. Th spriulder alarm devices,

rice to be connected with a supply pipe, a. float chamber containingmercury, a lioat having: a connected float valve and moon ed in saidchamheii, an alarm controlled by said float 'airc and a suction pipecommunicating with said {load chamber and said jet oerice.

chamber containing mercury, a jet device to be connected with asupplypipe and having a suction passage conncctial with said float chamber, afloat and connected alrrm coir trolling devices in said float chamber toconlrol the operation of an alarm.

in sprinkler alarm devices, a float 3t chan: liquie a sprinkler alarmdevices, a float containing non-oxidizing neutral were being a passageprovided with a cons icted oart adjacent its lower portion eonnunicating with said float chamber to be connected with asprinklersystem, a float and connected alarm controlling device in said chamberand normally floating in the liquid therein to actuate an alarm on thecommencement of flow in said sprinkler system.

31. In sprinkler alarm devices, -a float chamber containingsubstantially non-oxidizing neutral liquid, there being a passagecommunicating with said float chamber to normally be in open connectionwith a sprinkler system a float and connected alarm controlling device.in said chamber and normally floating in the neutral liquid therein toactuate an alarm on the commencement of flow in said sprinkler systemduring its emergency operation.

32. In sprinkler alarm devices. a float chamber containing substantiallynonaqueous neutral liquid, there being a passage communicating with saidfloat chamber to normally be in open connection with a sprinkler system,a float and connected alarm controlling device in said float chamber andnormally floating in said neutral liquid therein to actuate an alarm onthe commencement of flow in said sprinkler system during its emergencyoperation.

In sprinkler alarm devices, a float chamber containing a substantiallynonoxidizing neutral liquid, there being a passage forming a normallyopen connection between said float chamber and the sprinkler system andalarm controlling means in said chamber normally floating in saidneutral liquid to actuate an alarm on the coinmencement of flow in saidsprinkler system during its emergency operation.

EVERETT L. 'lllOMPSOX. JOHN R. I'IAZVIILTON. "itncsses:

Hana r ll. DU N on N, JESSIE B. KAY.

